Diagnosis and management of hyponatraemia in the older patient

Abstract

Hyponatraemia (serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L) is the most common electrolyte disturbance and occurs commonly in older people. The causes can be complex to diagnose and treat and many published guidelines do not focus on the issues in an older patient group. Here, we are principally concerned with diagnosis and management of euvolaemic and hypervolaemic hyponatraemia in hospitalised patients over 70 years old. We also aim to increase awareness of hyponatraemia in residential aged care facilities and the community. Hyponatraemia can have many causes; in older people, chronic hyponatraemia can often be the result of medications used to treat chronic disease, particularly thiazide ..